When Popeyes launched its now-iconic hen sandwich in 2019, their unbelievable in a single day success wasn’t misplaced on the competitors. What was imagined to be a fairly routine menu addition of two new hen sandwiches—a spicy and a gentle model—quickly prompted a social media frenzy and a sold-out provide solely two weeks after launch.

Chains identified to reign supreme within the hen sandwich class, like Chick-fil-A, publicly acknowledged they’re gunning to beat Popeyes, whereas others began fervently engaged on their very own model of the fast-food world’s newest golden ticket. Therefore the Hen Sandwich wars have been kicked off. And based mostly on the continual, speedy innovation we’re seeing on this class, they’re nowhere close to over.

In truth, judging by the overwhelming proliferation of hen sandwiches, 2021 may very well be the new 2019. In current months, a number of of the most important names in quick meals have made their strikes on the chessboard of crispy hen, launching or saying their very own larger and higher variations.

Listed below are the most recent and the best fast-food hen sandwiches we will look ahead to consuming in 2021.

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After a number of quite half-hearted makes an attempt at competing within the hen wars in 2019, McDonald’s has lastly taken the competitors critically. The chain not too long ago confirmed the launch of not one, not two, however three new hen sandwiches on Feb. 24.

And the burger slinger is not being refined about who they suppose their largest competitors is. Their new Crispy Hen will boast a juicy hen fillet with crinkle-cut pickles on a buttered potato bun—a precise duplicate of Chick-fil-A’s hen sandwich. The sandwich will even are available Deluxe and Spicy variations, once more taking a web page proper out of Chick-fil-A’s ebook which presents the identical variations to their very own traditional sandwich.

Solely time will inform how McDonald’s new sandwiches stack up within the Hen Sandwich Wars, but when the recognition of their not too long ago offered out spicy hen nuggets is any indication, the chain is completed enjoying video games.

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Testing the waters, Jack within the Field launched their limited-time Cluck Sandwich in December. The traditional model consists of a crispy hen fillet topped with pickles and a thriller sauce on a heat brioche bun, whereas the deluxe comes with the addition of bacon, cheddar cheese, and guacamole. You possibly can nonetheless strive each of those—the Cluck Sandwich is at present on the chain’s menu.

What units this one aside is clearly going to be the thriller sauce, which has already spawned web debate over its elements. Whereas some suppose it is a mix of ketchup, mustard, mayo, A1 steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and sizzling sauce, we desire to be dazzled with just a little little bit of thriller. Good one, Jack within the Field!

Eternally the cool child of the fast-food world, Shake Shack pivoted into worldwide waters and simply launched 4 new, limited-time gadgets with  Korean flavors (though, that categorization sparked some controversy). The brand new provide consists of two hen gadgets, the Korean-style Fried Chick’n sandwich, and the Korean-style Gochujang Chick’n Bites, or the chain’s model of a crispy hen sandwich and nuggets with a twist.

This newest hen enterprise was impressed by the fried hen scene in Seoul, South Korea, based on Mark Rosati, culinary director for the chain. It consists of a crispy hen breast patty slathered with Gochujang sauce—a spicy-sweet fermented chili paste—and stacked on prime of a mattress of white kimchi slaw that is made with Choi’s Kimchi and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.

The sandwich is not as a lot of a raffle as it might appear—it has carried out very properly at Shake Shack’s South Korean places final yr, prompting the corporate to convey it to its American clients the place it is going to be accessible till April 5.

KFC has all the time been synonymous with fried hen, however the firm has positively felt the strain to innovate with the rise in competitors. Just some days after McDonald’s introduced it will be stepping up its sport with three new hen sandwiches in 2021, KFC introduced main upgrades to its The Crispy Colonel Sandwich.

The chain is changing stated sandwich with a more recent, higher model merely referred to as KFC Hen Sandwich, which shall be rolled out in any respect places by the top of February. In accordance with the corporate, their outdated hen sandwich wasn’t “residing as much as our legacy as consultants in fried hen.”

The KFC Hen Sandwich will include a heftier hen filet (25% bigger than within the outdated sandwich), which shall be double-breaded and served on a brand new, buttered brioche bun with thicker, crinkle-cut pickles and mayo or spicy sauce.

Taco Bell pruned a number of gadgets from its menu final yr, together with every part with shredded hen in it. However do not low cost this darkish horse within the Hen Sandwich Wars, because the chain enigmatically introduced this month that it plans to “interrupt” the hen sandwich class.

We do not know the way or when it will occur, however we do know the innovation shall be important, based on Liz Matthews, the chain’s world chief meals innovation officer.

“I really like watching the opponents,” Matthews stated. “I believe a variety of gamers on the market are doing a fantastic job, however what I’ll say is that we are going to interrupt that with what we’ll do on hen.”

Wendy’s determined final yr that the best way towards making a greater hen sandwich was going again to fundamentals and dealing on their hen filet. Enter the brand new “plumper, juicier, and crispier” fried hen filet, which the chain began utilizing in all of its hen sandwiches.

The chain additionally launched the Basic Hen Sandwich, a more recent model of their long-standing Homestyle Hen Sandwich that was shedding recognition. The Basic comes with the total works of crunchy lettuce, tomato, mayo, and pickles, which resembles a deluxe model of different manufacturers’ sandwiches.

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